In 2013, the UK was facing a huge change in how information and technology were shaping our lives. Every time people used a mobile phone, searched online, or bought something, they were interacting with “algorithms” – sets of instructions that help computers make sense of data. The amount of data being created was growing faster than ever, and there was a need for experts who could understand and use this information to help society and the economy. The Council for Science and Technology (CST), a group that advises the Prime Minister on science and technology, saw that the UK should aspire to be at the forefront of the economic revolution driven by algorithms.
CST wrote a letter to the Prime Minister called “The Age of Algorithms”. In this letter, they explained why algorithms and data science were so important for the country’s future. They made 12 recommendations, including a bold idea the UK should set up a National Centre for advanced research in algorithms and data science. This centre would bring together top scientists, universities, and businesses to work on new ways to use data for the benefit of everyone. CST suggested naming it after Alan Turing, the famous British mathematician who helped crack secret codes in World War 2 and is considered a pioneer of computer science.
Working with government colleagues, the Government Office for Science developed a plan and a budget bid for the new institute, also talking to academics and business leaders to make sure the vision for the institute was exciting and compelling. In 2014, the government announced £42 million in funding to make the Alan Turing Institute a reality.
The Alan Turing Institute opened in 2015 as the UK’s national centre for data science and artificial intelligence. It brings together researchers from leading universities and works with industry and government to solve real-world problems. The Institute has helped the UK become a leader in data science, supporting research in health, the environment, national security, and more. Its work has led to new discoveries, better public services, and smarter ways to use technology. The Institute continues to grow, with more funding and new partnerships, showing how one letter and a clear vision can make a lasting difference for society.
Read the letter from the Council for Science and Technology here.
